Keeping tabs of inappropriate and dangerous activity of children on the internet is a challenge to parents. It’s important for a parent to know what their child is up to when they are glued in front of the computer. Globally 75% of the children aged 9-19 years have internet access at home.

Facts:

1 in 12 children have met someone offline whom they initially chatted with online.
1 in 5 children are solicited for sex online.
1in 17 children are threatened or harassed on the Internet.

Here is a list of cryptic codes, acronyms or online lingo children use when chatting online.

ASL: Age, sex, location
143: I love you
G2G: Got to go
GNOC: Get naked on cam (webcam)
IDK: I don’t know
GA: Go ahead
LMIRL: Let’s meet in real life
BRB: Be right back
AFK: Away from keyboard
BAK: Back at the keyboard
LOL: Laugh out loud
DYFM: Dude, you fascinate me
CD9: Code 9 – means parents are around
MorF: Male or female
MOS: Mum over shoulder
NIFOC : Naked in front of computer
Noob: When someone cannot use a computer very well
DMI: Don’t mention it.
EMA: What is your email address?
LUWAMH: Love you with all my heart.
TIAIL: I think I am in love
NMU: Not much, you?
SMEM: Send me an email
WTGP: Want to go private
P911: Parents emergency
PA: Parent alert
PAW: Parents are watching
PIR: Parents in room
POS: Parents over shoulder
BCNU: I’ll be seeing you
PRON: Porn
PRW: Parents are watching
S2R: Send to receive (this relates to pictures)
TDTM: Talk dirty to me
W/E: Whatever
YR: Yeah right

Children’s safety is of concern to elders but protecting them is not easy. The internet security and anti grooming software company In Loco Parentis (Latin for “in the place of a parent”) is useful in this regard. You can add watch words, set up email alerts, monitor their online activity, block unsuitable sites etc. The software is worth checking out for any one with a requirement.

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